In February 2010, Hallinan was excused from the Budget Session due to medical issues. He underwent emergency open heart surgery on Feb. 1 and was released from Intensive Care February 9.[1] In order to recover from the surgery, Hallinan announced he would not be seeking re-election in the fall.[2]

Hallinan is a physician. Hallinan earned his Bachelor's Degree from Stanford University. He went on to receive his MD from the University of Utah.[3]